Wednesday: 13 April 2011:
Abu Dhabi Traffic police calls on motorist to take extra precautions on unstable weather
Abu Dhabi Police Traffic and Patrol Directorate urged road users to take extra precaution and obey traffic rules because of whether change in UAE, especially on sandy locations.
Brig. Eng Hussein Ahmed Al Harithi, director of the directorate explained that formation of sand on the road surface is a main cause for accidents. Therefore, motorists should be alert and follow the producers required in such weather situations
He called on motorists to reduce speed on highways so that they are able to control their vehicles, and to leave enough space while overtaking to avoid surprises and traffic accidents.
Al Harithi urged motorists to abide by speed limits on highways especially in desert areas on the sides of which there is no trees, buildings or any barriers that can absorb part of the sandstorms. Consequently, fast drivers would fail to avoid piles of sand accumulated on the road
“Vehicles normally lose balance due to wind, and the faster they are, the lighter they become”, added Al Harithi. Therefore, motorists should slow down and take these factors into their consideration.
It is becoming more serious and could lead to an accident when a light vehicle passes near a heavy truck in a windy weather, stated Al Harithi. Strong sandy winds form sand dunes on the road, causing vehicles to slide when using brakes.
He called upon motorists to reduce speed so that they are able to control their vehicles fully, and to avoid stopping their vehicles near trees and signs which are vulnerable to collapse.
